Should You Take the Volvo XC70 Off Road?
The Volvo XC70 has some decent off-road capabilities, but isn’t up for extreme trailblazing.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Safe, comfortable, and capable of some light off-road driving, the XC70 was the start of Volvo’s foray into SUV territory.
Even if you don’t drive off road often, there’s something oddly comforting about knowing that you could. But while many vehicles have the look of an off-road ready machine, not all of them actually have what it takes.
Come adventuring with
Jerry
, the friendly and dependable super app
, as we take a look at the off-road chops of the XC70. We’ll talk specs, some alternatives, and last but not least—how to lower your Volvo XC70 insurance cost
. Can the Volvo XC70 go off-road?
It can! While it may look like a safe, sensible, and comfy family wagon (and it is), the Volvo XC70 is definitely capable of some light off-road adventuring.
The XC70 was made between 1996 and 2016, and was retired to make way for the Volvo V90. While all years were designed with a degree of rugged capability in mind, many find the final generation (2008–2016) to be the best when it comes to an off-road vehicle.
This is also the generation that is the most readily available on the used market, but they don’t come particularly cheap—expect to pay anywhere from $22,000 to $30,000 for a used late model XC70.
Curious? Let’s take a look at some of the specs of the Volvo XC70 and see how it measures up!
Ground clearance
Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest part of your car’s chassis and the ground, and it’s a key factor in successful off-roading. The ground clearance of the Volvo XC70 is between 8.2 and 8.3 inches, which makes it suitable for some low-key off roading, but nothing too intense.
Most experts recommend a ground clearance between 8.8 and 10.8 inches for an off-road vehicle to be able to perform well. Having enough ground clearance can mean the difference between successfully navigating that bumpy road, or winding up with a damaged undercarriage and an embarrassing visit from a tow truck.
It’s worth mentioning that a lot of folks who use their Volvo XC70s for off-roading make use of lift kits, which will allow for several more inches of ground clearance. If you’re serious about increasing the ability of your XC70 to traverse off road, it might be something worth looking into.
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Torque
Let’s talk about torque, horsepower’s less sexy but not-to-be-ignored sister. A good off-road vehicle will have a solid dose of low-end torque, which means high amounts of torque at a lower rpm. When you’re off roading, turning power matters more than horsepower—you want slow and steady turning power, not bursts of speed.
Depending on whether the engine is an inline-four or inline-five cylinder, the final generation of XC70s will have a maximum torque of either 258 lb/ft @ 1500 rpm, or 266 lb/ft @ 1800 rpm, respectively. This is a decent amount of turning power, and it’s accessible at a lower rpm, which increases the rugged functionality factor of this sensible wagon.
Tires
When new, the Volvo XC70 came with a set of 235/50VR all season tires. These would have suited most drivers fine for daily urban driving, but if you want to take your XC70 off road, you’ll
need all-terrain tires
. These have shorter life span than all-season tires, but the open tread pattern will increase your gripping power off road. Drivetrain
Everyone knows that an all-wheel drive vehicle will provide the best traction, no matter what kind of terrain you’re on. Most models of XC70 had the option of all-wheel drive, and the ones that do will be the ones that are the most suitable for off-road driving.
Angles
Some other numbers that you want to keep an eye on when you’re off-roading are the approach and departure angles of your vehicle. If you’ve ever heard a nasty scrape when trying to attempt a steep incline into a parking garage, it means you didn’t have enough of an approach or departure angle. Here are some quick definitions:
- Approach angle: the maximum angle that a vehicle can climb without interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle that a vehicle can descend without interference
The Volvo XC70 has approach and departure angles of 16 and 20 degrees, respectively. This is okay for some gentle bumps, but nothing too intense—unless you get one of those lift kits we talked about earlier.
Off-road rating: Rough and ready
Now let’s see how the Volvo XC70 stacks up according to
Jerry’s
DIRT rating system, seen in the super-technical table below:
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
We’re giving the Volvo an R for Rough and Ready for casual off-roading—with an emphasis on the casual. It has some solid capabilities and is a surprisingly sturdy little wagon when properly equipped. If you’re really serious, some modifications will increase its off-road capabilities even more.
The best off-road alternatives to the Volvo XC70
Interested in some other options? Sure you are! If you’re looking for something off-road ready that’s not a Volvo XC70, the alternatives are plentiful. Here’s a few to consider:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Volvo alternative | 2023 Volvo XC90 | $56,000 | If you want to enjoy the strides that Volvo has made in the world of SUVs, the XC90 will deliver them in style and comfort. |
A luxurious choice | 2023 BMW X7 | $77,850 | It’s not cheap, but the BMW X7 is big, beautiful, and ready to take you adventuring in unparalleled opulence. |
An affordable alternative | $23,645 | There's a reason why Subarus are relentlessly popular with outdoor types—its joyful functionality and accessible price point mean everyone can afford to come out and play. |
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Finding affordable car insurance for your off-road vehicle
Off-road vehicles are fun, but they can have the downside of being a little bit more expensive to maintain, repair, and insure. Taking a vehicle off-road will increase the chance of costly damage, and insurance companies will typically charge a bit more to insure one.
But never fear—insurance super app Jerry is here to blaze a trail to
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